Fire sprinkler sends cascade into Bay City's Boathouse condominiums

BAY CITY, MI — Firefighters responded to report of fire at Bay City's Boathouse condominiums on Saturday, July 13, but found themselves dealing with a cascade of water instead.

At about 1:30 p.m., part of the sprinkler system inside the five-floor building at 1111 N. Water was activated. That apparently caused a large pipe in the building's foyer to burst, sending a cascade onto the floor, officials said.

"The water was flowing down like Niagara Falls," said Andrew Rogers, who lives on the third floor of the 37-unit building.

He said residents were told a television in the building's exercise room began smoking and triggered the sprinkler system, as well as an audible alarm. Fire officials said they are investigating the incident.

The Bay City Public Safety Department responded with three fire engines and some police units. When authorities determined fire was not a danger, they shut off the building's sprinkler system to stop the flow of water, according to Fire Chief Karey Prier.

The flooding was contained to the structure's foyer, he said. Fire officials helped to drain the water with a pump, first diverting it to a drain in the building's parking garage and then directly into the Saginaw River.

Most emergency crews had cleared the scene by 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

The Boathouse condominiums are located adjacent to St. Laurent Bros. candy shop in downtown Bay City.